'What I loved most was the chance to read about children whose lives are very different from mine", wrote Lottielongshanks of Sky Hawk, by Gill Lewis

We'd like to find out about more books that show different lifestyles and break the stereotypes. Let us know your favourites by emailing them to us at childrens.books@theguardian.com

Your suggestions

Ali B: My particular interest is children's fantasy fiction, and two authors I've read and loved recently are Nnedi Okorafor (Nigerian-American) and Chitra Banerjee Divrakuni (Indian American). While unfortunately neither (as far as I know) have a publishing deal in the UK, their books are well worth ordering from your local bookshop or online.

I would particularly recommend Akata Witch by Okorafor, a quest fantasy set in urban Nigeria, drawing on Igbo beliefs, and Divrakuni's The Conch Bearer and sequels, set in India.

And if an enterprising UK publisher was to see the value of two highly marketable fantasies that are great stories, that would appeal to any fantasy-loving person bereft at the end of the Harry Potter saga, I would be pressing them into the hands of anyone that would listen!

Manasi S

This article is a great idea! I'm the editor at a children's publishing house based in Chennai, India. We primarily publish picture books.

I want to suggest one title from our own list called Monkeys on a Fast written by Kaushik Viswanath and illustrated by Shilpa Ranade. It's been published in the UK and Ireland as What? No Bananas? by Hogs Back Books. It's a title that's done well in Denmark as well and is very popular as a picture book and an audio book in India. It's a story based on a Buddhist legend about a tribe of monkeys that decide to go on a diet, but find that they simply cannot stay away from bananas.

Other Indian children's books that we recommend include Swami and Friends by R. K. Narayan and the graphic art books from Amar Chitra Katha.

Sarah S: Just spotted your article. I've recently been introduced to Mr PamPam and the Hullabazoo by Trish Cooke - a wonderful picture book withgreat rhythm for young children. I'm a childminder and thefour-year-old boy I look after loves it. Mr Pam Pam and the Hullabazoo are probably a same-sex couple, and the characters aren't white.

Jon S:I think it's great you've raised this issue. As director of a festival that promotes South Asian literature, one thing that is particularly troubling is how I've noticed there is little there is in the way of children's books with diverse characters available in the UK.

I'd like to mention Saadhak Books, a tiny outfit which my festival colleague is slowly but surely bringing into this world. They are all about reviving colourful Indian folk tales. The first one Laghu the Clever Crow was originally a 'panchatantra' tale in Sanskrit. It's the first of a series set in the UK with the Granny Geeta character reading to her grandson - beautiful hand-painted colour illustrations!

Jenny L: Bob Graham does ok. Oscar's Half Birthday at least goes into the mixed race issue, and they live in a housing estate.

Navjot: Thank you for bringing awareness to an important issue developing in publishing today. The need for representation is growing and yet authentic voices are few and far between. Please excuse the non-traditional approach here, but I feel passionately enough about the issue of non stereotypical books that I would like to suggest the following titles which include two of my own:

Nicky P:Frances Lincoln children's books are well known for publishing books that celebrate the colourful world we live in and its varied ethnicities. Here are a few picture books recommendations. The modern classic Amazing Grace by Mary Hoffman with illustrations by Caroline Binch was first published 20 years ago and other stories about Grace have followed. Sarah Garland's Billy and Belle is another classic featuring a modern family. Niki Daly's stories about Jamela capture a reflection of multicultural, modern South Africa. In Floella Benjamin's My Two Grannies and My Two Grandads, the much loved grandchild finds ways to make her grandparents (one couple from Trinidad and the other from the North of England) stop squabbling about different food and music and to become friends. For under fives, the Lenny books by Ken Wilson–Max are hugely appealing and it is the dad who is looking after his young son.

Kate PJulia doesn't mention representation of disability, another big area where publishers could do better. Anyway, here's a few suggestions to add: